The Value of Boarding School

We believe that boarding school is an investment – shaping character and teaching work habits, lessons and practices that are invaluable in later life.

It is no exaggeration to say that young people that go to boarding school are much better prepared for the rigours of university education and independent living – a fact to which many of our graduates attest.

"I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today if it was not for my journey at St. Michaels University School. This school, and its boarding system, shaped me into the mature, organized, well-rounded individual I am today. I started boarding in Grade 8 and it was an amazing experience. During my time as a boarder I made friendships that will last a lifetime and the experience as a whole brought me a level of maturity that allowed me to thrive in university." — Shade - McGill University graduate

This was backed up by a wide ranging survey by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), which found that:

  • 87% of boarding graduates said they felt prepared academically for higher education compared to 71% at day private schools and 39% of public school students.
  • And on the non-academic side, 78% of boarding graduates said they felt better prepared for the social aspects of university compared to 36% of day private students and just 23% of public school students.

Many of our families recognize that a boarding education is so valuable to academic success, higher learning and life that they will make financial adjustments. This is especially true when strong students find high-quality education lacking in their hometowns.

Affording Boarding School

Boarding schools are not exclusive to the super-rich; many students at SMUS are on financial aid or have been awarded one of our boarding scholarships. Last year, more than 20% of the student body received financial aid. In fact many of our families have an annual household income of less than $100,000.

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Questions about Affordability

If you are interested in boarding school, we encourage you to contact the Admissions office to talk over the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available.